Agitating pressure cooker



12 Sheets-Sheet 1 Wu Zifer M-ZbmEin/s Carl E Maynzw W M TOMKINS EI'AL AGITATING PRESSURE COOKER June 24, 1952 Filed Dec :50 194'? un 2 1952 w. M. TOMKINS ETAL ,645

AGITATING PRESSURE COOKER Filed Dec. 50, 1947 12 Sheets-Sheet 2 W. M. TOMKINS EI'AL AGITATING PRESSURE COOKER 12 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 50, 1947 12 Sheets-Sheet 4 Larl F. Ma mwm, M 4

W M TOMKINS ET AL AGITATING PRESSURE COOKER June 24, 1952 Filed Dec 50, 1947 June 24, 1952 w. M. TOMKINS EI'AL 2,601,545

AGITATING PRESSURE COOKER Filed Dec. :50, 1947 12 Sheets-Sheet 5 grime/WM; W&Z2erM 7511122271.; 04 E. May]: uJ

June 24, 1952 w. M. TOMKINS ET AL AGITATING PRESSURE COOKER 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Dec. 50, 1947 12 Sheets-Sheet '7 gwums WalierM Jbmffz'n Carl E. MagnaJ' flmmu s,

W M TOMKINS ETAL AGITATING PRESSURE COOKER June 24, 1952 Filed Dec :50 1947 June 24, 1952 w. M. TOMKINS ETAL 2,601,645

AGITATING PRESSURE COOKER Filed Dec. 50, 1947 12 Sheets-Sheet 8 TVc'zZfeM 762727111925 Carl 15. Ma nu;

W. M. TOMKINS ETAL AGITATING PRESSURE COOKER June 24, 1952 12 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed Dec. 30, 194'? w 4. v w

mzlf'ez MIZJHZTCZIILJ Carl E. Magnzw June 24, 1952 w. M. TOMKINS ET AL 2,601,645

AGITATING PRESSURE COOKER Filed Dec. :50. 1947' 12 Sheets-Sheet 1o June 24, 1952 w. M. TOMKINS ET AL AGITATING PRESSURE COOKER l2 Sheets-Sheet 11 Filed Dec. 30, 1947 E 3 wow KW W'aZferM 76m fiz'ns Karl E. Magi? us.

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W. M. TOMKINS ET AL AGITATING PRESSURE COOKER June 24, 1952 12 Sheets-Sheet 12 Filed Dec. 50. 1947 ynuJ Patented June 24, 1952 I AGI'IATING PRESSURE COOKER Walter M. i Tomkins, Hinsdale, and Carl Magnus, Chicago, 111., assignors to Continental Can Company, Inc., New York, N. Y., a. corporation of New York 'ApplicationDecember so, 1947, Serial No. 794,760 I The invention relates to new and useful improvements in apparatus for processing food products in sealed cans, and it primarily seeks to provide a novel apparatus in which the cans may be subjected to the desired heating, cooling and andin which the cans may be movedabout during processing in a manner for assuring that said processing will be rapidly and thoroughly carried out. 1

The usual method of processing food products sealed in metal cans is to subject the external surface of the cans to a heating medium for transfer of heat to the food product, and to a cooling medium for removing the heat therefrom. A suitable heating medium issteam, and a suitable cooling medium is cold Water. Various products are processed in this manner; liquid, semiliquid s, or solids in liquid, and examples are soups; evaporated milk and fruits in syrup, or vegetables in brine, and also tightly packed solids having fluids in the interstices of the mass,-'such as whol grain corn, peas, asparagus and the like.

One of the important factors in processing food products in sealed cans is the time consumed" to transfer heat from the walls of the can to the center thereof so that the entire food product will'be uniformly heated to or near the temperature of the treating media. The quicker this is accomplished, the better will be the quality and nutritive value of the food product. The same is true in the cooling of the product afterhe'at treatment. Furthermore, any shorteningof the time of heat transfer to and from the center of the can shortens the overall processing time and is of economical value; besides producingabetter quality of processed food product; It is also known that by bringing about movement of the mobile'portion of the contents in a sealed can in a manner for causing said portions to move relative to the walls of the can and provide more or less turbulence in the can, the transfer of heat from the walls of the. canto and from the entire' contents can be greatly facilitated.

An object of the invention is to provide a novel apparatus in which'the cans may be subjected'to the aforesaid heat exchange and product movement over the desired processing interval. 7

In copending application for U. S. Letters Patent, Serial Number 710,472, filed November 18,

1946, by Laverne E. ClifcornfGordon T. Peterson and John M. Boyd, and since issued as Patent No. 2,517,542, there is disclosed a method of processing food products in cans wherein a space-is 53 Claims. (01. 99-364) 2 provided permitting movement of the mobile contents. According to this method the can is rotated in a manner setting up centrifugal force tending to move the entire mass in the same general direction in the can, and the centrifugal force during each rotation of the can operates during a portion of the rotation to augment the force of gravity and during another portion of the rotation to oppose the action of gravity, thereby to bring about the desired movement of the mobile contents in the can. It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel apparatus in which the cans may be suitably held in place and rotated so as to practice said method.

An object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the character stated in which the can may be held in position for being subjected to the desired heat exchanging medium and rotated about a generally horizontalaxis located externally of the can. I

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the character stated in which a multiple of cans may be held with their longitudinal axes in the same general plane perpendicular to an axis of rotation externally of all 'of said cans and rotated about said axis in a heat exchange medium.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the character stated in which the means for supporting and rotating the cans-in the heat exchanging medium comprises a rotor having longitudinally disposed can runways placed thereabout in whicheach can lies with its Another object of the invention is to provide" an apparatus of the character stated .in'which the rotor is mounted on an incline within a retort, novel means being included for controlling the feeding of cans into and from the retort andonto and from the rotor runways, and also means for manually indexing the rotor to properly place the runways for receiving and discharging. cans, and means for imparting rotation to the rotor at-variable speeds. 1

Another objectaof the invention is toprovide an apparatus of the character statedin'which there are included means for locking the rotor in positions to which itis indexed,and means for to its full release position.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the character stated in which the rotor indexing means includes a manually shifted cone clutch, and in which i included means for preventing too sudden engagement of the clutch in effecting a braking of the turning rotor.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the character stated in which there are included means for selectively directing I steam, air and water into the retort to provide for the desired heat exchange action and pressure conditions.

Still another object of the invention is to provide in apparatus of the character stated novel the retort shown in Figure 1, parts. being broken.

away.

Figure 3 is an enlarged right side elevation illustrating the retort shown in Figure 1, parts being broken away.

Figure 4 is a left end elevation.

Figure 5 is a right end elevation.

Figure 6 is a side elevation illustrating one of the retort casing section connectors, parts being broken away and in section.

Figure 7 is a detail side elevation and part horizontal sectional View illustrating one of the plug mounted rotor supporting rollers.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary side elevatio and part longitudinal section illustrating one of the rotor can runway supporting spiders.

Figure 9 is a vertical cross section taken through the retort at a position adjacent toand looking toward one of the casing-section connectors, one of the can runway spiders shown in Figure 8 being illustrated in face view.

Figure 10 is a detail vertical cross section showing one of the rotor supporting ring mounting spiders.

Figure 11 is a vertical cross section taken on the line I l-l l on Figure 10.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal section showing the shaft section mounting in the receiving end header.

Figure 13 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal section showing the shaft section mounting in the discharge end header.

Figure 14 is a detail side elevationand part longitudinal section showing one of the water, air or steampipes.

\ Figure 15 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal section showing the rotor drive and index means control devices.

Figure 16 is an enlarged fragmentary end elevation illustrating the manually operated indexing devices, parts being broken away and in section.

Figure 17 is a fragmentary plan view and part horizontal section showing the relation of the cushioning pin and the locking rod of the indexing means.

Figure 18 is a vertical cross section showing the parts illustrated in Figure 17.

Figure 19 is a fragmentary vertical cross sectional view illustrating the shiftable closure door at the receiving end of the retort.

Figure 20 is a horizontal section taken on the line 20-20ton Figure 19, the door. being shown closed.

Figure 21 is a fragmentary cross section illustratin the mounting of one of the door guides or retainer arcs.

Figure-22 is a. view similar to Figure 19 illustrating the shiftably mounted door at the discharge end of the retort.

Figure'z23 is a'horizontal section taken on the line 23-23-on Figure 22.

Figure 24 is ayertical cross section taken through the retort at the position of the spider which carries the automatically projected and retracted can stops.

-Figure 25 is a fragmentary longitudinal. sectiontaken on the line 2525 on Figure 24 and illustrating the spider shown in Figure 24.

Figure 2615 an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view illustrating one of the can stops as it is being projected through the adjacent rail slot into position for intercepting. the cans in the associated runway.

Figure 27 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken on the line 2121 on Figure 25 and illustrating one of the stop re-setting members.

Figure 28 is an. enlarged fragmentary longitudinal section illustrating the hollow shaft extension on which the contact rings are mounted for association with testing devices.

In the practical development of the invention, there is provideda cooker retort generally designated'A and which is supported on an incline as shown in Figure. 3. The retort casing houses a rotor composed of amultiple of can runways. or tracks whereon the cans are supported in rows, being fed thereinto' in'a novel manner by infeeding means generally designated B, and out therefrom by outfeeding means generally designated C. The rotor is indexed in order .to successively. present its runways to receive and discharge the individual ro-ws of cans, and is rotated during the processing of the cans by the indexing and rotating means generally designated D.

The retort generally designated A is composed of a-multiple of cylindriform casings 5, each having an attaching flange: 6 welded or otherwise securedto eachend thereof. The individual casing sections are secured as at I to the flanges 8 of intermediate connector members 9, said members being best illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 6 and 9 of the drawings.

The intermediate. connector member 9 are supportedon, pedestals I0, and each member 9 is equipped with two axially aligned plug bearings H,:as shown in Figures 6 and 9. In each bearing H a plug I2 is removably mounted, being flange securedtas at [3, and each plug carries a supporting roller I4 having trunnion bearing as at IS in the plug. zOne of the roller supporting plugsis shown in detail in Figure '7.

Each of the connector members 9 i -provided with an inwardly projecting hollow body H5 at the top thereof; said body beingdivided by a wall 11 into a water chamber 3' and a steam or air chamber l9. Aduct orpipe line 20 connects with the chamber l8, and a duct or pipe line 2 I :connects with the chamber IS. A plurality of waterpipes 221 are securedat one end to the body l6 so as to communicate withzthe'water space] 8; and "a pluralityof steam or air" pipes Rare con-' nected at one end with the body 16 to communicate with the steam or "air chamber IS. The pipes 22 and 23 extend in opposite directions from the respective connector. member 9 along the top portion of the retort in the manner clearly illustrated in Figures 1, 6 and 9 of the'drawings, and the pipes projecting from-the respective connector members approximate each other at their extended ends away 'from'water and steam' or air connections and are capped'as at 24." All ofithe pipes 22 and 23 are equipped with inwardly directed orifices 25 through which the water, the steam or the air may be directed-into the interior of the retort during the processing of cans. 'One of the orificed pipes is shown"v in: detail: in Figure 14. 1

. An end closure or header 26 is flange. secured as at 21 to'the respective'casin'g section at the receiving end of the retort, and'a similarnend closure' or header 26 is "flange secured as'at 29 to the respective casing section at the discharge end of the retort. The headers are'best illustrated in Figures 3, 4, 5, 12 and 13'of' the drawings'. Each header is provided with water, steam or: air chambering 36 to correspond to the chambering in the several connector members and serves to support orificed water, steam: or air pipes .3l similar to the pipes supported by said connector members. A water pipe line or duct 32' and a steam or'air pipe line or duct'33 connects with each header in the manner illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, and it will be apparent by reason of the provision of the several pipes,chambers and supply ducts or pipes 20, 2i, 32 and 33 that it is possible to selectively supply" steam or air 'or water'to the interior of theretort during the processing of cans. Provision for "suitable drainage is made through the drainage connection 34'c1ear- 1y illustrated inFigures 3, 5 and 13 of the drawings.

The can supporting rotor includes a hollow center shaft 35 whereon is mounted a multiple of supporting spiders 36, one'su'ch spider being provided for and within each of'the casingsection connector member's'fl. See Figures 1, 1-0 and 11 of the drawings. Each of the spiders 36 comprises a hub ring" 31 secured about the shaft 35, and six outwardly extending arms 38 each of which is equippedwith a supporting pad 38 at its outer end. The supporting pads 39 are secured to a' 'supportring 4 6 which is of suitable diameter for properly resting upon and'rolling on the associated pair of rollers l4 in the manner clearly illustrated in Figures9, and 11. It will be apparent that with the intermediate'support provided by the spiders 36 and rings 46 within the casing-section connectors 9 the rotor will be suitably supported intermediately of its ends so that it can be rotated without vibration or whipping. I It will be apparent by reference to Figure 1 that a plurality of can runway supporting spiders 4| are mounted on the center shaft 35 in equidistantlyspaced relation intermediately of the support rings 40 and between each end header 26 or 28 and the next adjacent connector memher 9 or support ring 40.

Each ofthe intermediate spiders generally designated 4I comprises a'hub ring 4-2 which is secured upon the center shaftv 35, and six outwardly extending arms 43, each of which is equipped with an enlargement or pad 44 at its outer end in the manner clearly illustrated in Figures .8 and 9 of ;the:drawings. Each of the pads 44 has the face thereof directed in the direction of rotation of the rotor provided with a plurality of selective taps 45 intended to selectively receive a screw 46 for 'adjustably supporting an L-piece 41 to which one leg of an angle track 48 is secured. The face of each pad 44 directed away from the direction of rotation of the rotor is tapped to receive a screw 49 which passes through a longitudinal slot 56 in an L-piece 5i to which one leg of an angle track 52 is secured. The adjustably mounted angle tracks 48 and 52 cooperate with a third angle track 53 which is fixedly secured to a supporting crotch 54 provided on the hub 42. Each set of three tracks 48, 52 and 53 comprises a single runway in which to receive a row of cans. The cans are indicated at 55, and it will be noted by reference to Figure 9 of the drawings that six such runways are arranged in equidistantly spaced relation about the center shaft 35 in position for supporting the individual cans with their longitudinal axes disposed in tangential relation to an imaginary circle concentric to the axis of the shaft 35. It will be apparent also that by adjusting the position of the L-pieces 5| by employment of the slot and screw equipments 50, 49, and by adjustment of the L-pieces 41 by selective mounting of the screws 46 in the taps 45, the runways may be adjusted to properly receive and hold cans of different lengths and diameters.

It will be apparent by reference to Figure 12 that a plug 56 is secured in the end of the hollow shaft 35 adjacent the header 26. The plug is grooved to receive the tongue 51 projecting from the driver head 58 carried by the shaft section 59 which passes through a gland 60 in said header and is rotatably mounted in a bearing 6| provided in the support extension 62 with which the header is equipped. The shaft section 59 has a large spur gear 63 secured thereon, and the spur gear is adapted to be driven by a meshing pinion 64 which is mounted on the shaft section 65 which is rotatably supported in the bearing 66 also provided on the support extension 62. The means for imparting rotation to the shaft section 65 will be described hereinafter.

At its other end, the hollow shaft 35 fits over a hollow head 61 in the manner clearly illustrated in Figure 13. The head 61 has a driving pin connection at 68 with the hollow shaft 35 and is carried by a hollow shaft section 63. The shaft section 69 passes through a gland 10 in the discharge end header 28 and is rotatably supported in a bearing 1| provided in the support extension 12 with which the header 28 is equipped. It will be apparent byreference to Figures 4, 19 and 20 that an inlet door or opening 13 is provided in the header 26 through which cans may be fed onto the selectively presented runways of the rotor. It will also be apparent by reference'to Figures 5 and 22 of the drawings that an outlet door opening 14 is similarly provided in the header 28 through which the can rows may be discharged from the sequentially presented runways after the processing of cans has been completed. Each door or opening 13 or 14 is controlled by a swingably mounted door 15 swingably mounted as at 16 on the respective end of the hollow center shaft 35 against the respective header 26 or 26. See also Figures 12 and 13. Each door 15 has an arcuate rack 11 attached thereto, said racks bearing concentric relation to the rotor center and being movable between the adjacent faces of the respective header 26 or 28 and'aguide or retainer are 18 which is secured as at 19 to the respective header in the manner 7 best illustrated inFigures '19, 20; 21 and22 of .the drawings.

The rack segments 11 are movable-between limiting stops 80, the uppermost stopin each instance serving to limit movement of .the rackat the door closing position, and the lowermost stop in each instance serving to fix the position of the respective door in the open position illustrated'in each of Figures 19 and 22.

The door position controlling means comprisesa hollow shaft BI extending the full length .of and within the retort, and saidishaft'has a sleeve pinion 82 secured at one end thereof in position for meshing with the respective rack. 11 Jim-the manner clearly illustrated in Figure 23; Thelhu'b portion of the sleeve has rotative bearingasat 83 in the header 2B, and it will be noted byreference to Figure 23 that a cap 84 removably: attached to the header 28 closes over the end of .the pinion sleeve and the control. shaft'endto whichlitaiis affixed.

It will be apparent by reference to-.Figur.e';20 that the control shaft SI-is provided at its other end with an extension piece which is securedlin the end of the shaft and provided with a frusto-' cone portion 85, and on said extension a pinion sleeve 89 is secured throughthe medium'of .a screw 81. The sleeve 89 has rotativelbearingcin the header 26 as at 08 and extends therethrough and has a hand wheel 89 secured thereon .through the medium of which rotation may be imparted to the control shaft. The. pinion portion 90 of the sleeve 86 meshes with the closure-door rack segment 11, and it will be apparent that by rotating the hand wheel 89 it is possible to manipulate both doors so as to effect an opening or closing of the inlet and outlet openings 13 and 14; By utilizing the frusto-cone connection and-the securing screw 81 it is a simple matter to properly line up the closure doors so. that each will len-- gage the proper limiting stop to definitely place both doors in either the open or closed position.

The means for effectin and controllingthe manual indexing of the rotor and the mechanical or power driven rotation thereofv is best illustrated in Figures 2; 3,4, l5.andi16 of the drawings. By reference toliigure 15,. it will be apparent that a large pulley 9I- is'key-secured upon the extended end of the shaft section .65, and the pulley is equipped with. a friction. cone clutch portion 92 and a single indexposition securing pin receiving recess 93.

The header. extension .62 is supportedonabase or pedestal 94 from which a. bracket portion 95 projects in the manner clearly illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. Upon the bracket portion 95 is supported a base member 96. having parallel slide guides 91. The guides 91 providea slide mounting for the slide members 98 projecting laterally from the gear housing 99 wherein a stepped shaft section I09 is rotatably mounted as at IOI. A worm wheel I02 is keyed on the shaft section-I and is adapted to be rotatedby a worm gear I03 which meshes therewith and is keyed on a cross shaft I04 having rotative bearing .as; at I05=..in the gear housing 99. A hand wheel I06 is secured .upon the extended end of the shaft I04,.and by manipulation thereof manual. indexing of the rotor may be effected in a manner to bedescribed hereinafter.

The shaft section I00'is equipped with a cone clutch head I01 flange secured thereonwasat I08, and a centering pin I09 secured: as at II0lto the shaft section 65 engages in arotaryxandslide bearing III in the end of-theshait; section I00 andsserves. to maintain .the desired concentric relationbf the cooperating cone clutch elements 92 and I01.

Attention isdirected to Figures 2 and 4 of the drawings from which :it will be apparent that the large, pulley 9| is adaptedto be driven through the belt H2 from, the driver pulley H3 on. the shaft ofthe driving :motor. H4. The motor I14 is adjustably supported as at I I5 in variable speedv drive. relationto the large pulley on the bracket H6 which projects from the pedestal 94. It is .to be. understood thatzby adjusting the position of the-motor closer-toormore distant from the large pulley 9|, it is possible to impart rotation to said'large pulley and the can runway supporting rotorat variable speeds. Itis intended that the. rotor shall be driven at any selected speed from R. P. M. to 100R. P. M.

Jlhe gear housing 99 is provided with a pair of ears H1;projectingendwise therefrom andbetween which is mounted .a bifurcated end H9 of a: toggle'link H9, said link being pivoted to the" earsas at I20. The link- H9 ispivoted as at I2 I' to a togglelink I22-which is in turn bifurcated at I23 .to the upper end of a' support member 124. The 'member- I24 is .pivotally supported at its lower endas. at I25 on the base member 9Band is'apertured to straddle the post I26 which is secured to the base member and equipped at its outer end-with an abutment I21. A compression spring I28 interposed between the abutment I21 and the adjacent face of the support'mem-ber I24 constantly tends to swing the support member I24:about its pivotal mounting I25 in a direction formoving the gear housing 99 towardvthe right as viewed in Figure 15,'or in other words constantly tends to force the clutch member I01 into clutching or braking engagement with the clutch portion 92 onthe large rotor. driving pulley 9I. The movementlof the'support member I24 under. action of the spring- I28 may be limited by the adjustable stop screw I29 which is mounted on'the member I24..in position for engaging the base member 96.

A lever I30. extendszupwardly from the toggle link. H9, and a second lever I3I is pivotally mounted on the toggle pivot I 20 and extends below the same where it is connected by a link I32 and clamp I33 witha locking detent or pin I 34 which isslidably'mounted in base member bearings I35 in position .for being engageable in the pulleyrecess 93 for. locking said pulley and the connected can supporting rotor in positions to which they-have been manually indexed.

It will bev apparent by reference to Figures 15. 1'7.v and 18 that the locking pin I34is provided in its undersurfacewith a deep recess or slot I36 and a shallower slot extension I31 in'which to receive the reduced upper. .end portion I38 of .a spring liftedplunger. I39. The plunger. I39 is'vertically-slidably mounted in a bearing cylinder I40 supported on the base member 90, and it isto be understood that the plunger is cupped and provided with a bleed port disposed in the manner clearly: illustratedinFigure 15 so that oil provided inthe bottom of the cylinder bearing I40 will provide a'dashpot action effective to retard and prevent too sudden down movement of the plunger 439. .'.A longitudinally disposed, narrow slot I4I provided through the locking pin- I34 receives :the flattened lower endportion of a cushioning pin-in the manner clearly illustrated inv Figures 15, 17. and 18. The cushioning pin isluprightly disposed and guided inbearings I43 formedona. bearing member I44 which is attached to the base member 96, and at its upper end the cushioning pin contacts with the bottom of the end portion of the toggle link I I9 adjacent its pivotal connection with the toggle link I22. If desired, a contact pad I45 may depend from the toggle link I I9 for engagement with the cushioning pin I42 as shown in Figure 15.

A switch I46 is mounted as at I41 on the support member I24 and is electrically connected as at I48 with the rotor driving-motor H4 and with the power source I49 through which said motor is driven. It will be apparent by reference to Figure that the switch is so disposed as to be contacted by the end of the locking pin I 34 when it is fully retracted from its index locking contact in the pulley recess 93. The switch is of the normally open type, and it will thus be apparent that only when the circuit is completed through the switch by engagement of the'end of the locking pin I34 with the switch so as to close the contacts therein will the electrical circuit to the rotor driving motor be completed. Thus it is impossible to start the rotor driving motor inadvertently when the index locking pin I34 is in the pulley recess 93. In other words, unless the locking pin I34 is fully retracted, to contact and close the switch I47, the rotor driving motor I I4 cannot be started.

In the illustration of Figure 15- the parts are shown in the clutch engaged position, as when it is intended to manually index the can supporting rotor. In this condition of the parts, the index locking pin I34 can berecipr ocated freely'by manipulation of the lever I3I. By now swinging the lever I3I to the right as viewed in Figure 15, the pin I 34 can beretracted from its locking contact in the pulley recess 93, and then by rotation of the hand wheel I06 rotation can be 'imparted to the stepped shaft I00, andthrough the n a in clutch po tions I01 and 92, the shaft section 65, gear couple 64, 64 and shaft section 59 to the can supporting rotor. When the rotorhas been indexed a proper amountto present the selected can receiving runway at the inlet door I3, the lever I 3| will be swung to the left in order to again project the locking .pin. I34 into the locking recess 93 for the purpose. of securing the position of the can supporting rotor. This manipulation of parts is repeated for each indexing of the can supporting rotor.

When it is desired to ,pOwer drive the can supporting rotor, the lever I is pushed to the right as viewed in Figure 15. This causes the toggle links I I9, I22 to break upwardly, and by thus reduoing the spacing between the pivot pins I23 and I20, the gear housing 99 will be pulled to the left as viewed in Figure 15, along the slide guides 91 shown in Figure 16, and this movement of the gear housing will withdraw the cone clutch portion I01 from effective engagement with the cone clutch portion 92 of the rotor driving pulley 9|. By now moving the lever I3I to the right, the detent locking pin I 34 can be retracted from its effective locking position-as before described, and it is to be noted by reference to Figure 15 that the levers I3I and I30 are disposed in the same vertical plane and so close one to the other that it is impossible to move the lever I30 forwardly so as to release the clutch member I01 without contacting the lever I3I and forcing the same forwardly in a manner for retracting the detent locking pin I34 from the locking recess 93. Thus the clutch cannot be released without withdrawin the index locking pin I34, and as before described, the can supporting rotor driving motor H4 cannot be started unless the locking pin I34 has been fully retracted.

The upward movement of the toggle link II9 frees the cushioning pin I42 and permits the upper end portion I38 of the plunger I 39 to spring into the locking pin recess I36 in a manner for retaining the same in its retracted position and securing said pin against free manipulation at all times except when the clutch members are in effective engagement as shown in Figure 15. In other words, the plunger I 39 holds the index locking pin I34 out of the locking recess 93 when the clutch elements are out of contact, and the locking pin may be operated freely when the clutch elements are effectively engaged, but not when they are disengaged. I

When the clutch members are disengaged from the position shown in Figure 15, and the index locking pin I34 retracted in the manner above described, assuming that the end extremity of the locking pin is engaged with thesafety switch I41 so as to close the same, the motor II4 may be started so as to impart the desired rotation to the can supporting rotor. The speed of rotation to be imparted to said rotor is controlled as aforesaid, by adjusting the position of the driving motor II4 with relation to the driving pulley 9|. After the rotation of the rotor has been continued over the desired processing interval, the operation of the driving motor II 4 may be discontinued, and the lever I30 may be moved to the left to depress the toggle to the position illustratedin Figure 15, or in other words to straighten the links and again force the clutch elements I01 and 92 into effective engagement. The engagement of the clutch elements will serve to brake the rotation of the can supporting rotor and aid in bringing the same to a stop, and by reason of the engagement of the link II9 with the cushioning pin I42, and of the cushioning pin I42 with the dashpot plunger I39, downward movement of the plunger will be resisted by the bleeding of oil. and the resulting dashpot action will prevent too sudden engagement of the clutching elements.

In order to control the discharging of processed cans from the retort, and to provide stop means for limiting movement of the can rows at the discharge end of the retort, the hollow shaft 35 of the rotor has secured thereon a spider generally designated I50. The spider is shown in detail in Figures 24 to 2'7 from which it will be apparent that said spider includes a center hub portion secured on the shaft 35, and six outwardly extending arms I5I. A stopcarrier bar I 52 is mounted by slot and pin connections I53 on each spider arm I5I and at its outer end each said bar is equipped with a roller I54. A can stop I 55 is secured to the inner end of each bar I52 and is movable into and out of position for intercepting cans rolling along the respective runway through a clearance or slot I56 provided in the adjacent angle track 53 of the particular runway. See Figures 24 and 26.

Adjacent each track slot I56 each spider arm I5I is equipped with a bearing enlargement I51 in which a stop re-setting member I58 is pivotally mounted as at I59. See Figures 25 and 27. Each re-setting member I58 has slot and. pin connection as at I60 with the respective stop I55 and has a cam head I6I disposed as shown in Figures 24 and 27 in position for being displaced by a cam button I62 projecting from the end of a dummy can I 63. It will be apparent that by moving a given stop actuator bar I52 inwardly along the spider arm I5I on which through approximately 180 degrees since gravity See Figures 13 and 28.

11 it is mounted; the connected stop I55 will be retracted through the track slot I56 out of position for being contacted by cans rolling along the respective runway. It will also be apparent that by displacing the cam head IEI inwardly, as by contact therewith of the cam button I62 .of apassing dummy can I63, the re-setting-member I58 will be moved to bring about a return of the actuator bar- I52 to its outwardlyprojected position and a projection of thestop 155 through the slot I56 to replace the same in position for intercepting cans rolling along the runways. It will be apparentby reference. to Figures. 22 and 23 of thedrawings that the prevlously described pinion sleeve 82 is equipped with a cam arc extension I64. Whenever the discharge door I5 is moved to the open positionshown in Figure 22 the cam arc extension .I64 will be brought into position for being contacted by the rollers I54 on. the spider arms I5I as they are moved past said are extension. Thus during the indexing of the rotor .to effect a sequentialdischarge of the processed cans from the runways and the feeding in of new rows of cans to be processed onto said runways, as each spider arm I5I is. indexed to the/horizontal position shown at, the left in Figure 21 its roller I54 will contact the stationary cam arc extension I64 to effect a releasing of the respective can stop I55in the manner previous ly described so as to permit the row of processed canslined up with the. discharge opening I4 to run .out through said opening. It isto be understood that ,thelast real can .in each runwaysupported row is followed by a dummy can I63equipped with .a stop re-lsetting cam. button I62, and when each dummy can approaches the discharge door or opening I4 it will engage the Ie-setting cam head .I6I in the manner previously described and effect a re-setting of the stop I55 so that the new row of cans fed onto the runway through the inlet door or opening I3 will be intercepted and held in the runway by said stop. The cam arc extension IE4 is out of position for being contacted by the spider rollers I54 when the doors I5 are inposition for closing the inlet and outlet openings I3 and I4.

In order to prevent movement of the stop actuator bars I52 in thestop releasing-direction as they move about the upper half of their-travel there is provided anarcuate fixed track I65 which may be supported by the adjacent guide IBor-otherwise in position'for being engaged by the inner portions of the bar carried rollers It is only necessary to extend the track action-is sufiicient to prevent movement of the bars I52'as-they pass about the lower half of their path of travel.' It will be observed by reference to Figure 2 that the track terminates opposite the cam arc extension I64 so as to avoid K interference with the function of said-extension in actuating the bars I52.

If desired, provision may be made for attaching thermocouples to selected cans on the rotor runways, and for this purpose, aplurality of connectors I66 may be mounted on'the hollow shaft head ,6! to extend radially therefrom through clearances in the hollow center shaft 35 of the rotor and into the interior of the retort. These connectors may be connected by wires (not shown) with the suitably placed thermocouples (not shown). A hollow shaft extension IE1 is attached to the previously described shaft section 69 and is equippedwith-wire passages I68 to permit wires (not able measuring or recording instruments; (not shown). Removable-cover equipped hand holes IID may be provided at'intervals along the retort casing sections 5 to-facilitatethe connecting of wiresto the thermocouples in testcans, or for other purposes of access.

In order to facilitate the feeding of .cans .to

and from. the retort, means somewhat diagram maticallyillustrated in Figures 2 and 3 may be provided. A can feeding-chute or runwayIII equipped with a timing star wheel I12 maybe mounted at the receiving end oftheretort in position for :feedingcans into the retort through the inletopeninglit- The timing'star wheel may be driven through' universal joint connections -II3 from a drive shaft Il4'extending alongthe sideof theretort and in turn driven through av universal joint II5 from the driver shaft I15. TheshaftIIS-may be driven.- througha =bevel gear couple III from a .cross shaft I18:which is in turn driven through power transmitting connections .-II9 from a motor I88. The shaft I18 operates a timing star Wheel IBI which may serve to receive cans running out through the discharge door I4 and time them onto a feedaway conveyor. means generally designated I82.

It is believed the operation of the apparatus will be clearly understood after a reading of the foregoing description, but this operation will be briefly reviewed at this point.

' Operation anengagement of the clutch elements In! and 92-, and the lever I3I will be manipulated to retract .the locking pin I34.- By now turning .the hand wheel I86 the rotor may be indexed to present one of the can receiving runways in line with the inlet door I3. The doors I5.wil1 be moved to the open position by turning of the hand wheel 89 and the motor I86 may be started to bring about a feeding of a row of cans onto the aligned runway under timing control of the timing star wheel I12. The cans will not pass out through the discharge door I4- because they will-be interceptedbythe stop I55.

Therotor will be indexed through successive steps by .manipulation of the hand wheel I06 to serially present the can receiving runways in line with the inlet door I3, and each successively presented runway will be filled in the man-- ner. previously described. It. will be recalled that at the end of each runway thus filled a dummy can having a stop resetting cambutton I62 will be placed. It is also to be understood that the lever I3I is manipulated to place the locking pin I34 inthe locking recess 93 following each indexing movement so as to securely lock the rotor against movement during the loading of each runway.

After all runways have been loaded, the doors I5 are closedby turning of the hand wheel 83 and the cookingprocess maybe started, steam being directed into the retort through the sev- 13 eralsupply linesand orificed pipes to provide the desired cooking heat and pressure within the retort. The lever I30 is now moved to the-right as viewed in Figure 15 to bring about a:.retrac tion of the clutch member IIlI. 'Movement of the lever I 30 alone Will also effect retraction of the detent locking pin I34 from the locking recess 93, or this may be accomplished by separate manipulation of the lever I 3 I. Full retraction of the pin I34 will cause the end extremityof the pin to engage and close the=switch...I4I. The rotor drive motor I I4 may now be started and rotation will be impartedto the rotor. at the proper selected speed throughout thetwhole processing of the cans.

After the cooking process has proceeded over the proper interval of timecold water may be injected into the retort through the previously described supply lines and orificed'pipes, and the water will serve to accelerate the cooling process. Simultaneously therewith, the steam may be re= placed by directing air'into the retort through the steam lines and orificed pipes. By gradually increasing the pressure of the air as the steam pressure within the retort decreases through cooling it is possible to maintain a proper pressure balance within the retort, and by this means buckling of the cans during the coolingv period may be prevented. After the processing of'the cans is completed, the lever I30 may be returned to the position shown in Figure 15 to bring about an engagement of the'clutch elements I01 and 92 to cause a braking action and facilitate a stopping of the rotor. After the rotor is stopped the hand wheel IllB may be manipulated to line up one of the can supporting runways" with the door openings I3 and I4, after which the index locking pin is inserted in the locking recess 93 by manipulation of the lever I 3| The hand wheel may now be manipulated to swing the doors I5 to the open position illustrated in Figures '19. and 22.

As previously described, the manual indexing of the rotor into position for lining up one of the runways with the door openings I3 andI4 will bring about an engagement of the actuator roller I54 associated with the aligned-runways with the cam arc extension I64. This cam extension contact results in a releasing of the particular can stop I55, and the row of cans on the alignedrunway Will be permitted to run out through the dis-'- L charge door opening I4 under timing control'of the timing star wheel IBI. As the dummy can I63 at the end of the row runs past the re-setting member I58 it will bring about a resetting of the can stop I55 into position for intercepting the cans fed onto the runway during ,the reloading thereof. The unloading and re-loading of the rotor runways is carried out in the manner stated following proper indexing of the rotor, and when the re-loading of the rotor is completed the process is repeated in the manner previously described.

It is preferred that the rotor driving pinion 54 which rotates with the large pulley having the single locking pin receiving recess 93 and which meshes with the large spur gear 63' shall "bear a one to six ratio with said spur gear so that during each complete revolution of the large pulley 9| the can supporting rotor will-be indexed onesixth revolution. In other words, for each complete turn of the large pulle 9I effected by the manually operated indexing devices, the rotor will be indexed just far enough to displace one runway from alignment with the inlet door "I3 and bring the next succeeding runway in line with said door. It will be apparent also that each such indexing movement of the large pulley 9| will return the locking recess 93 to position for again receiving the index locking pin I 34. I

- As previously described, the spring I28 which constantly tends to move the clutch member I01 into clutching engagement when the toggle links are straightened is so adjusted as to apply just the right amount of pressure to the clutching element, andwhen' thetoggle is broken the spring is ineffective to impart movement to the clutch member because of the non-extended condition of the toggle links and the limiting engagement of the stop screw I29; I

It will be, apparent by reference to Figures 15 and 17 of the drawings that the deep slot I36 in the index locking pin I34 is so spaced with relation to the plunger extension I38 and the outer end extremity of the pin that the pin end can contact and close the rotor driving motor controlswitch I46 when said plunger extension is projected into said slot. However, said slot I35 is longer than the plunger extension I33 so as to provide a limited freedom for movement of the index locking pin when said extension I38 is projected thereinto suflicient to permit the positioning of the locking pin out of the locking recess 93 and also out of contact with the switch, if desired, thereby making it impossible to start the motor I I4xwithout first properly manipulating the lever I3I -to contact the locking pin with the switch I46. The compression spring which constantly urges the plunger I39 upwardly will be effective, whenever the toggle is broken and the pin I42 is thereby freed, to press the plunger against the locking pin'and yieldably hold the same in positions to which it is moved.

Y While one form of the invention has been shown for purposes of illustration, it is to be clear-.

ly understood thatvarious changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

' We claim:

1. In apparatus for processing products in sealed cans wherein are provided spaces permitting movement of mobile contents, a retort in which'to receive a heat exchanging medium, arotor in the retort, means for applying continuous rotation to the rotor at a predetermined definite speed based upon the particular product being processed and about a generally horizontally disposed axis and fora selected processing period involving many complete rotations of the rotor, means on said rotor for supporting cans thereon with their longitudinal axes disposed transversely with respect to said axis of rotation and so spaced therefrom that said axis does not pass through any part of any can so supported, means for supplying cans to said supporting means prior to said processing period, and means for discharging cans from said supporting means after termination of said processing period.

2. In apparatus for processing products in sealed cans wherein are provided spaces permitting movement of mobile contents, a retort in which to receive a heat exchanging medium, a' rotor in the retort, means for applying continuous rotation to the rotor about a generally horizontally disposed axis and at variable selected speeds to be determined by the product being processed, and means on said rotor for supporting cans thereon with their longitudinal axes disposed transversely with respect to said axis of rotation and so spaced therefrom that said axis does not pass through any part of any can so supported.

3. In apparatus for processing products in sealed cans wherein are provided spaces permitting movement of mobile contents, a retort, means for selectively directing cooking steam or cooling water into the retort, a rotor in the retort, means for applying continuous rotation to the rotor at a predetermined definite speed based upon the particular product'being processed and about a generally horizontally disposed axis involving many complete rotations of the rotor, and means on said rotor for supporting cans thereon with their longitudinal axes disposed transversely with respect to said axis of rotation and so spaced'there-irom that said axis does not pass through any part of. any can so supported, means for supplying cans to said supporting means prior to the processing period, and means for discharging cans from said supporting means after termination of the processing period.

4. In apparatus for processing products in sealed cans wherein are provided spaces permitting movement of mobile contents, a retort, means for selectively directing cooking steam or pressure controlling air, and cooling water into the retort, a rotor in the retort, means for applying continuous rotation to the rotor at a predetermined definite speed based upon the particular product being processed and about a generally horizontally disposed axis involving many complete rotations of the rotor, and means on said rotor for supporting cans thereon with their longitudinal axes disposed transversely with respect to said axis of rotation and so spaced therefrom that said axis does not pass through any part of any can so supported, means for supplying cans to said supporting means prior to the processing period, and means for discharging cans from said supporting means after termination of the processing period.

5. In apparatus for processing products in sealed cans wherein are provided spaces permitting movement of mobile contents, a'retort in which to receive a heat exchanging medium, a rotor in the retort, means for applying continuous rotation to the rotor at a predetermined definite speed based upon the particular product being processed about a generally horizontally disposed axis involving many complete rotations of the rotor, and means on said rotor for supporting cans in multiple rows on said rotor with each can in each row having its axis disposed transversely with respect to the axis of rotation and in tangential relation to an imaginary circle concentric to said rotation axis.

6. In apparatus for processing products in sealed cans, a retort in which to receive a heat exchanging medium, a rotor disposed in the retort with its axis in a generally horizontal inclined position, means for applying continuous rotation to the rotor, a plurality of can supporting runways on said rotor for rollably supporting can rows thereon with the axes of the cans disposed transversely with respect to the axis of the rotor, an inlet doorway at one end of the retort and a discharge doorway at the other end of the retort, a door associated with each doorway and shittable for opening or closing the same, door shifting devices operatively connected with both doors, means operable independently of said rotor rotating means at one end of the retort for actuating said door shifting 16 devices for shifting both doors, and means operable at said one end of the retort for indexing the rotor to serially present the runways at the doorways and permit the running of cans onto and from said runways through said doorways.

'7. In apparatus for processing products in sealed cans, a retort in which to receive a heat exchanging medium, a rotor disposed in the retort with its axis in a generally horizontal inclined position, power driven means for applying continuous rotation to the rotor, a-plurality of can supporting runways on said rotor for rollably supporting-can rows thereon with the axes of the cans disposed transversely with respect to the axis oi the rotor, an inlet doorway at one end of the retort and a discharge doorway at the other end of the retort, and means other than said rotor rotating means for pre-. senting the runways serially at said doorways to permit the running of cans onto and from said runways, each' said runway being so placed that each can supported thereonwill have its axis disposed transversely with respect to the axis of rotation and in tangential relation to an imaginary circleconcentric to said rotation axis.

8. In apparatus for processing products in sealed cans, a retort in which to receive a heat exchanging medium, a rotor disposed in the retort with its axis in a generally horizontal inclined position, means for applying continuous rotation to'the rotor, a plurality of can supporting runways on said rotor for rollably supporting can rows thereon with the axes of the cans disposed transversely with respect to the axis of the rotor, an inlet doorway at one end of the retort and adischarge doorway at the other end of the retort, a door associated with each doorway and shiftable for opening or closing the same, door shitting devices operatively connected with both doors, means operable independently of said rotor rotating means at one end of the retort for actuating said door shifting devices for shifting both doors, and means operable at said one end of the retort for indexing the rotor to serially present the runways at the doorways and permit the running of cans onto and from said runways, each of said door shifting devices actuating means and rotor indexing means being manually operable, and said rotor rotating means being power driven.

9. In apparatus for processing products in sealed cans,1 a retort in which to receive a heat exchanging medium, a rotor disposed in the retort with its axis in a generally horizontal inclined position, means for applying continuous rotation to the rotor, a plurality of can supporting runways on said rotor for rollably supporting canrows thereon with the axes of the cans disposed transversely with respect to the axis of the rotor, an inlet doorway at one end of the retort and a discharge doorway at the other end of the retort, a door associated with each doorway and shiftable for opening or closing the same, door shifting devices operatively connected with both doors, means operable independently of said rotor rotating means at one end of the retort for actuating said door shifting devices for shifting both doors, and means operable at said one end of the retort for indexing the rotor to serially present the runways at the doorways and permit the running of cans onto and from said runways, said rotor rotating means being power driven, and said rotor indexing means being manually operable and including a manually shiftable friction clutch forming a part of 

